National Press Club Address – 9/10 Australians profess their love for science this Valentine’s Day

A national Galaxy Poll has revealed the vast majority of Australians think that science needs better support, and credit Australian science for their good health and wellbeing.

The key findings of the Poll are:

94% of Australians think that science and technology is important to their health and wellbeing;

70% believe that Australian science has made their life better;

90% say that government policies addressing challenges like reliable energy, weather prediction, natural disaster planning, and approving new drugs should be based on the best science and technology possible; and

8 out of 10 Australians believe the Australian government should spend more on science and technology.

In her National Press Club Address today, the President of Science & Technology Australia, Professor Emma Johnston, called for the celebration of an Australian cultural identity that had science and technology at its core.

“Australians love science and technology and recognise it as the solutions sector, but there is so much more that can be done to support its success in Australia.”

In her Address, she highlighted the insecurity many STEM professionals experience in their jobs, and the lack of national direction that is required for a thriving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sector.

“There is a lack of strategic leadership for science, and public investment is falling,” Professor Johnston said, “these are massive obstacles to research and development in this country.

“Science and technology skills are increasingly important and Australia’s falling enrolments and average results in STEM subjects are leaving us unprepared as a nation.”

She said that as the national representative for STEM professionals – or solution makers – she was offering a solution to the challenges facing Australian society.

“If Australia is to survive this accelerating pace of change and remain a strong, independent and connected country; we need to sit in the driver’s seat -and that is a STEM seat,” she said.

“To do this, we need the support of the Australian public and the Australian government to meet the challenges facing us head on.

“We need a long-term, whole-of-government plan to invest publicly in the fundamental research that fuels innovation. Let’s invest in the most renewable resource – the creation of knowledge – to build a healthy community, thriving economy, and skilled future workforce.”